“Jonesie mojo?” Amelia starts laughing, shaking her head. “Really?”

Now I am a little wounded. “Hey, I’ve got mojo.”

“Plenty of it,” Charlie adds. “He gets all the chicks.”

Candice elbows her husband in the chest, making him say, “Ow.”

Amelia’s expression isn’t quite as friendly as it was a moment ago.

Damn it.

What changed? Charlie’s remark probably didn’t help matters.

“We need to go, but we’ll talk later,” Candice tells Amelia, giving her a meaningful look before they make their way to the next couple at the table.

“So hold on a minute,” Amelia says after they’re gone. “You’re Jonesie?”

She says this like she already knows who I am. “Isaac Jones, at your service, ma’am.”

Her lips part and she slowly shakes her head. “Did you know about this?”

I frown. “Know about what?”

“The blind date. The wedding blind date.”

What the hell is she talking about? “I’m confused.”

“You and me both.” She crosses her arms, her expression pouty. Beautiful. Can this woman ever look bad? Doubtful. “Were you in on this setup and trying to trick me?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. And I’m definitely not trying to trick you.” She sends me a look, one that says yeah right. She’s a touchy one. A little prickly.

I like that about her.

Amelia parts her lips, her expression fierce, and I prepare myself for the verbal blast I’m about to receive.

“Okay, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for the bouquet and garter toss! And because we’re polite, it’s ladies first, so come on up, ladies! Get ready to fight for that bouquet.”

Thank God for the DJ. He put a stop to that speech. The relief that spreads through me is strong and I relax in my chair.

“God, I hate wedding reception rituals,” Amelia mutters as she rises to her feet, tossing her cloth napkin on top of her plate. “Be right back,” she says cheerily, starting to make her way to the dance floor before she comes to a sudden stop, turns and stalks back to our table. “You should come with me.”

She points at me, her expression just as fierce.

Yikes.

I make a face. “Ahh…”

“Yes.” She nods, her voice firm. “Come on. Time for you to make a grab for the garter while I try to make a play for the bouquet.”

Reluctantly, I rise to my feet, toss my own cloth napkin on top of my plate, and reluctantly make my way to the dancefloor, mumbling under my breath the entire time.

Yeah. I hate wedding reception rituals too.

Nine

Amelia

I don’t know why I’m fuming. Or why I accused Isaac of tricking me. From the way he just reacted, I’m pretty sure he’s completely innocent in this. I suppose he didn’t know about Candice’s blind date plan. Or if he did know, he’s really good at faking it and pretending he didn’t have a clue.

I’d rather believe he didn’t know. Then I won’t feel like I’ve been tricked.